Functional Workouts: How to Plan an Effective Exercise Routine

While the main goal of functional workouts, is to enjoy exercise based on the movements we use in our daily lives, it's not as simple as it seems. There are several factors you need to keep in mind when planning your exercise regimen.

Of all the various styles of exercise that have come into vogue in recent years, functional workouts are among the most popular. The exercises that make up this discipline adapt to the specific needs of each individual. In this article, we’ll explain the best way to plan a functional workout routine.

Functional workouts feature exercises that require us to lift objects, jump certain lengths, and move heavy items. These are just some of the principles behind a functional regimen.

Planning functional workouts

Rather than working out specific muscles through set exercises, this discipline uses movement to exert the entire body. A basic functional workout routine usually consists of the following exercises.

1. Burpees

This is perhaps the quintessential functional exercise. Not only does it involve movement and exerting large muscle groups simultaneously, it’s also a great way of doing cardio.

It’s simple, too. Start by standing in a comfortable position. Then, tilt towards the ground and kick your legs out behind you, supporting your weight with your hands at chest-height.

After touching the ground with your chest, push yourself back up with your hands and feet, the latter of which should get as close to your hips as possible, in one explosive movement. If you do this last step falling with your legs open, it will be easier for you to get back up with stability.

2. Deadlifts

This is a great exercise for learning how to lift heavy loads. You can do it using a sandbag, a medicine ball, a dumbbell, or a bar–with our without weights.

The idea is to lift with your knees, and not with your back. To this end, place your chosen accessory on the floor between your legs and and bend your knees to pick it up. sticking out your chest and facing forward. Then, extend your legs in order to return to your initial position.

3. BOSU ball

The BOSU ball is a fundamental part of improving your balance. We can use it in a variety of ways. One is to sit on the flat end of the ball, with the spherical end serving as the base. Once you’ve done this, stretch out your feet and extend your hands to your sides. Maintaining your balance in this position, will require a lot of effort in your abdomen.

You can also use both sides of the BOSU to work your legs. The exercise consists of standing and maintaining your position, using one or both legs. You can also use it for sit-ups, small jumps, and lunges. There are many different options.

4. Pull-ups

It’s important to adapt this exercise to your particular needs. The benefits are immense, given that it’s the most demanding exercise that uses your body’s weight.

5. Jumping jacks

Back to aerobic exercise. Jumping jacks are one of the first exercises we learn at school. It’s perfect for improving aerobic and muscular endurance, while activating the majority of the body’s muscles.

6. Push-ups

There’s no better way to work the pectoral muscles than with some classic push-ups. This functional workout technique includes a variant for beginners: place your knees on the ground with your chest on the floor. Advanced techniques include, clapping your hands over your head after each repetition.

Finally, let’s add a few more exercises to the list:

– Planks and hollow sit-ups

– Superman exercises

– Traditional and sumo squats

– Trots and sprints

– Mountain climbers

As it’s not possible for most of us to run through the forest, across rivers and scale mountains – at least not every day, functional workouts provide a worthy alternative. It’s a natural, practical and highly effective way to improve your physical ability and performance.